I will return

50

"It's funny how Daphne doesn't suspect anything. This whole time I've been using Fred's cell phone to chat with her, pretending to be her dear friend. I've become pretty convincing, enough so that she doesn't even doubt what I'm telling her. I I made sure to seem excited about the idea of ​​her book tours, making her believe that Fred is more interested in her accomplishments than he ever was. It's not hard to pretend to be him. He's always been predictable, with that fake smile and the way he talks. "so... perfect."

I laughed to myself as I once again checked the messages. Daphne was so easy to manipulate, just leading her like one leading a dog on a leash. I suggested she come to the town where I was hiding, a small place she would remember fondly from our adventures. "It would be interesting if you saw the fights," I told him. I knew this would pique his curiosity, and I wasn't surprised when he agreed.

*Perfect*, I thought. Everything is going according to plan.

Zarkos had been helpful, although he couldn't deny that he had already enjoyed humiliating him enough. I had it under my control, but this time it would be different. This time there would be no mistakes, no distractions. Everything had to be perfect.

At this point, I looked at Daphne's photo on the phone. Her bright smile, her perfectly groomed hair. Soon, I thought. *Soon you will also be under my control*.